Expert picks and predictions for the Big 12 and top Week 12 college football games

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Expert picks and predictions for the Big 12 and top Week 12 college football games

The 2025 college football season is now 11 weeks in, and the Big 12 seems to be establishing a four-team upper tier, with Texas Tech emerging as the top team. Joining the Red Raiders are BYU, Cincinnati and Utah. Houston and Arizona State are just below that upper echelon.

The Week 12 Big 12 slate features five games, each with varying levels of importance in the Big 12 title race. BYU cannot afford to slip up against TCU if it wants to hold onto a spot in the title game, while in-state rival Utah has to keep pace by winning out, including this week at Baylor. Those two contests, along with Arizona at Cincinnati, are the matchups to watch this weekend.

Every week, our staff gathers to pick every Big 12 football game, along with some of the biggest college football matchups. It is a challenging task, especially considering the conference's crowded nature. No one seems likely to catch Texas Tech, but who plays them in the title game remains up for grabs.

So, how will Week 12 play out in the Big 12? Our Buffaloes Wire staff picked all six conference games straight up, plus four top matchups from around college football.

Here are our expert picks for Week 12. But first, here are the standings so far from our writers through ten weeks.

All games are scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 15, and all times are Mountain Time.

Standings so far

Big 12 games only

Charlie Strella: 77-20

Jack Freeman: 70-27

Griffin Dreifaldt:  72-25

No. 25 Cincinnati vs. Arizona

Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Brendan Sorsby (2) celebrates with teammates in the second quarter of the NCAA football game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and Iowa State Cyclones at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati on Oct. 4, 2025.

10:00 a.m., FS1

Griffin: Cincinnati

Arizona is starting to heat up, but the Bearcats are just too strong, especially at home.

Jack: Cincinnati

In our midseason predictions, I picked Cincinnati to make it to the Big 12 Conference championship, and this game will say a lot about the Bearcats. Arizona is playing its best ball of the season following a blowout victory over Colorado and a close win over Kansas. If the Bearcats aren't careful, this could be a trap game for them, and while I think they'll get it done, there's a lot of intrigue here.

Charlie: Cincinnati

Arizona has had a very solid year and is plenty capable of pulling off the upset, but Cincinnati is a great home team and still has a Big 12 title game appearance to play for.

Oklahoma State vs. Kansas State

Nov 1, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Avery Johnson (2) hands the ball to running back Joe Jackson (4) during the third quarter against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images

10:00 a.m., ESPNU

Griffin: Kansas State

Jack: Kansas State

Charlie: Kansas State

Arizona State vs. West Virginia

Sep 20, 2025; Waco, Texas, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Kenny Dillingham reacts on the sidelines during the second half against the Baylor Bears at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images

11:00 a.m., TNT

Griffin: Arizona State

Jack: Arizona State

Charlie: Arizona State

No. 6 Texas Tech vs. UCF

Nov 8, 2025; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Behren Morton (2) hands the ball to running back JÕKoby Williams (20) in the first half Brigham Young Cougars at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images

1:30 p.m., Fox

Griffin: Texas Tech

Jack: Texas Tech

Charlie: Texas Tech

Texas Tech continues to roll, but for some reason, I feel like UCF keeps it somewhat close.

Baylor vs. No. 13 Utah

Nov 1, 2025; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears wide receiver Kole Wilson (2) celebrates a touchdown catch with teammates during the second half against the UCF Knights at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

5:00 p.m., ESPN2

Griffin: Utah

Jack: Utah

A sneaky good matchup features a Utah team fighting for a spot in the Big 12 title game and a Baylor squad fighting to save its season. Both offenses should produce and make for an exciting game, but I see the Utes pulling out a back-and-forth victory thanks to their offensive firepower.

Charlie: Utah

This game means a lot to both teams. Utah is trying to stay in contention for the Big 12 title game, and Baylor wants its sixth win to guarantee it a bowl game. I don't think the Bears have the defense to take down Utah and Devon Dampier.

No. 12 BYU vs. TCU

Sep 27, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) prepares to pass the football n the third quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

8:15 p.m., ESPN

Griffin: TCU

Last week, Texas Tech finally revealed how to beat BYU, and now every team facing the Cougars will be gunning for them. I'm backing the Horned Frogs to head into Provo and pull off the upset thanks to standout performances from Josh Hoover and TCU's dominant ground game.

Jack: BYU

Charlie: BYU

It is hard to win in Provo, plus BYU knows how to win close games. This one should be close, but the Cougars are the better all-around team.

No. 22 Pittsburgh vs. No. 9 Notre Dame

Nov 1, 2025; Stanford, California, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Mason Heintschel (6) runs the ball against the Stanford Cardinal during the second quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-Imagn Images

10:00 a.m., ABC

Griffin: Notre Dame

Pittsburgh has been electric since freshman Mason Heintschel stepped in at QB, but Notre Dame is a different level. Heintschel and the Pitt offense can likely keep pace, but I have concerns about the Panthers' defense. CJ Carr and Jeremiyah Love could make a significant impact, and in the end, the Fighting Irish come away with another victory.

Jack: Pitt

Charlie: Notre Dame

I think Pitt keeps it close, but Notre Dame's offense will take over late.

No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 11 Oklahoma

Oct 25, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Dashawn Jones (7) celebrates a interception return for a touchdown against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the first quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

1:30 p.m., ABC

Griffin: Alabama

This Alabama team is impressive, finding ways to win whether the game is sloppy or clean. Ty Simpson takes care of the football, the defense steps up when it matters, and head coach Kalen DeBoer knows how to keep his team motivated. Oklahoma will make it competitive, but they already had a tough road win against Tennessee recently. Winning in Tuscaloosa is a tall order, and while Mateer is regaining the strength in his hand, it's not fully back yet. Alabama comes out on top.

Jack: Alabama

Charlie: Alabama

The Crimson Tide might not look the most crisp against a talented Sooners defense, but they'll figure out a way to win at the end.

No. 17 USC vs. No. 21 Iowa

Nov 7, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans running back King Miller (30) runs the ball against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

1:30 p.m., Big Ten Network

Griffin: Iowa

The Hawkeyes were in a battle with Oregon last week, keeping the Ducks on the ropes until a last-second field goal decided the game. I think Iowa has learned from that experience, and while USC boasts a high-powered offense, I trust the Hawkeye defense to create havoc. Iowa pulls off a major road win in Los Angeles on Saturday.

Jack: Iowa

Charlie: USC

No. 5 Georgia vs. No. 10 Texas

Nov 1, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian observes the second half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

5:30 p.m., ABC

Griffin: Texas

This is shaping up to be a thrilling matchup. Last year, these teams met twice, and Georgia came out on top both times despite some of the worst quarterback play we've seen. This year, Texas is motivated and coming off a bye, ready to strike in Athens. Georgia's secondary has noticeable flaws, and Arch Manning has quietly been stellar over the past two games, throwing for 674 yards, six touchdowns, and one interception. I expect him to take advantage of Georgia's defensive gaps. On the other side of the ball, Texas has been stout against the run and consistently generates pressure. Georgia will likely try to establish the run, but I don't see them getting much going. I expect the Longhorns to march into Athens, take control, and pull off a massive upset against a feisty, Kirby Smart-led Georgia squad.

Jack: Georgia

Charlie: Georgia

The Bulldogs are getting better and better, while Texas seems to eke out wins. To beat Georgia, Arch Manning and the Texas offense must put on a show. Manning has been great the past two games, and that continues, but the rest of his team won't step up.

Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: College football, Big 12 pick and predictions for Week 12

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos